"We started making Coco six years ago. It was a very different political climate than we find ourselves in now. While we were making the film, we had a change of presidency and a lot of things started to be said about Mexicans and Mexican-Americans. That was unacceptable," he said, clearly referencing candidate Trump's comments, including one about Mexican immigrants being drug dealers and rapists.

"We began to feel a new urgency to get the film out in the world, to get a positive message about the beauty of Mexico (and) the Mexican people and also give Mexican-American kids something to aspire to and to see a bit of themselves on the screen," he continued.

"We knew how important it was and we tried to make the best film, the most respectful film we could. And it just means the world to us the film ended up being the biggest movie of all time in Mexico and that it’s done so well around the world," Unkrich said. "Its message about family and the importance of remembering loved ones and keeping their memories alive seemed to resonate with everyone around the world."

PHOTOS: Memorable moments at Oscars 2018

A general view shows the stage during the 90th Annual Academy Awards show on March 4, 2018 in Hollywood, California.

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Chilean director Sebastian Lelio (C) accepts the Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film for 'A Fantastic Woman' during the 90th Annual Academy Awards show on March 4, 2018 in Hollywood, California.

Singers Miguel (R) and Natalia Lafourcade perform onstage during the 90th Annual Academy Awards at the Dolby Theatre at Hollywood & Highland Center on March 4, 2018 in Hollywood, California.

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Singers Miguel (L) and Natalia Lafourcade perform onstage during the 90th Annual Academy Awards at the Dolby Theatre at Hollywood & Highland Center on March 4, 2018 in Hollywood, California.

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(L-R) Production designers Jeff Melvin, Paul Denham Austerberry and Shane Vieau accept Best Production Design for 'The Shape of Water' onstage during the 90th Annual Academy Awards on March 4, 2018 in Hollywood, California.

Sound designers Richard King (L) and Alex Gibson accept Best Sound Editing for 'Dunkirk' onstage during the 90th Annual Academy Awards at the Dolby Theatre at Hollywood & Highland Center on March 4, 2018 in Hollywood, California.

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Comedian Jimmy Kimmel delivers a speech during the opening of the 90th Annual Academy Awards show on March 4, 2018 in Hollywood, California.

(L-R) Makeup artists Lucy Sibbick, Kazuhiro Tsuji and David Malinowski accept Best Makeup and Hairstyling for 'Darkest Hour' onstage during the 90th Annual Academy Awards at the Dolby Theatre on March 4, 2018 in Hollywood, California.

Comedian Jimmy Kimmel (L) and British actress Helen Mirren joke that whoever gives the quickest acceptance speech will win a jet ski during the opening of the 90th Annual Academy Awards show on March 4, 2018 in Hollywood, California.